Muttur victims get Rs.32.5 million compensation

[TamilNet, Saturday, 12 July 2003, 18:44 GMT]Minister of Port Development, Shipping and Eastern Regional Development Minister Mr.Rauff Hakim Saturday started payment of compensation to victims of April violence in Muttur area at an event held in Muttur Al
Hilal Girls School. About 585 families affected by April violence were paid 32.5 million rupees as compensation Saturday as first installment, sources
said.

Minister Hakim hands over cheque to a victim of Mutur violence

According to Rehabilitation Authority that comes under the Ministry of
Eastern regional Development Ministry, due to April violence in Muttur
area, a total of 8985 families were displaced. Of this 7782 families were
from Muslim community, about 1200 Tamil families and three Sinhalese families.

Minister Mr.Rauff Hakim said that he was against calling this event as a
celebration as there was no joy in celebrating in payment of compensation to
violence victims. "We should see no more violence victims being created among us and should eliminate the compensation culture from the
society. This could be achieved forging unity among Muslims and Tamils in
Muttur," said Mr. Hakim.

Earlier on Saturday Minister Rauff Hakim inaugurated the service of another passenger launch "Mahaweli Devi" between Trincomalee and Muttur. A rest room built several years ago was converted to be used as Duty Free Shopping Complex was Saturday declared open by the Minister Mr.Rauff Hakim, sources said.

Minister Hakim with his party parliamentarians Mr.K.M.Thoufeek and Mr.M.S.Thoufeek

Later Minister Hakim unveiled the plaque and inaugurated the Muttur jetty
construction project at a cost of 36 million rupees by the ministry of port
development, sources said

Trincomalee district parliamentarian Mr.K.M.Thowfeek and national list
parliamentarian Mr.M.S.Thowfeek participated in these functions with the
Minister Hakim.

'Mahaweli Devi 'motor passenger launch is ready to leave in its maiden journey to Muttur after Minister Hakim inaugurated the service Saturday morning